Gas Tank
5 Year Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 1,203
Good to know in a pinch.
Years ago when I was young going to Buffalo in the 18 wheeler, I kicked something up and put a hole in one of my fuel tanks.
It had to be the one with no shutoff valve. It was about the size of a dime. I stuffed a rag in it and it slowed to a drip.
An old-timer stopped and saw my problem, he went over to the tree and cut off a branch with his knife.
He whittled a tapered plug and tapped it in. Worked perfect. He said it would swell up and last a long time.
I delivered the load to Buffalo and ran back to my yard in NJ.
I bet the fix would have lasted for many years.
Years ago when I was young going to Buffalo in the 18 wheeler, I kicked something up and put a hole in one of my fuel tanks.
It had to be the one with no shutoff valve. It was about the size of a dime. I stuffed a rag in it and it slowed to a drip.
An old-timer stopped and saw my problem, he went over to the tree and cut off a branch with his knife.
He whittled a tapered plug and tapped it in. Worked perfect. He said it would swell up and last a long time.
I delivered the load to Buffalo and ran back to my yard in NJ.
I bet the fix would have lasted for many years.
Last edited by mbb; May 25, 2022 at 08:20 PM.
Smarter than most Racoons
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,426
Likes: 1,637
If ya gotta mess with the tank, fuel pump, etc, just remember that the bed is 6 bolts, 3 screws, and one wiring plug. You need another full size person for 5 min. to help move the bed off the truck. and 5 more when you want to replace it. Or just use an engine lift or a hoist from something. Beds are light. Sure easier to work on it from above if you can.
5 Year Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 1,203
If ya gotta mess with the tank, fuel pump, etc, just remember that the bed is 6 bolts, 3 screws, and one wiring plug. You need another full size person for 5 min. to help move the bed off the truck. and 5 more when you want to replace it. Or just use an engine lift or a hoist from something. Beds are light. Sure easier to work on it from above if you can.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I remember back in my late teens I had a 1976 Cutlass Salon. My first car. Somewhere along the line the tank had a leak. Due to corrosion the leak was along the seam. Had to be replaced. I don’t recall the details, but as I was disconnecting the straps the tank fell on top of me and I screamed waiting for an explosion. After a few seconds I realized nothing happened. Thank goodness the tank was empty. Flash forward to my 1996 Bronco….that developed a leak…..I let the mechanic do it. As for now, both my Focus and F150 are undercoated. So far so good.
